One look at the beast and you’ll see why they call him the “Junkyard” Buck.

I mean what else could you call such a giant whitetail?

The chase began back in October of 2015, on a small property deep in the
heart of southern Iowa’s big-buck country.

Doug Knott and his family had just acquired the small parcel (just under 30-acres).

They bought it for the hunting. But they will tell you that, even in Iowa, they weren’t

exactly planning on finding aGIANT that first year on that property.

“We moved the cameras around a bit and got our first picture of the beast on October 05, 2015”, says Doug. “He was very impressive!”

This trail camera picture of “Junkyard” reveals how he got his name! He has “junk” everywhere on his head! This picture is from the fall of 2016 when he was 4.5 years old.

Doug continued, “As far as we could figure from a few trail camera pictures that fall, the buck had 18-points and would probably score somewhere in the 180’s”.

Text messages started flying around between family members and the name “Junkyard” buck was justifiably given — courtesy of their cousin Scott.

“I’ll tell you what — the Junkyard buck quickly became an everyday mention among our family,” says Doug!

And the hunt for the “Junkyard” buck was on!

Thirteen-year-old Tyler and his father Doug were playing checkers with the buck.

They would get a picture right here and a picture somewhere over there of the buck throughout that first fall.

Here is a trail camera shot of Junkyard in 2016.

“We were starting to get a feel for the places the buck would spend much of his time with the
aid of those trail camera pictures” said Doug.

Then, on October 27, 2015, the young hunter Tyler and his father Doug would BOTH have encounters with the Iowa monster buck they call Junkyard.

But both with Junkyard buck encounters were in very low light. Not good for taking a shot!

“Then, on November 01, 2015, Junkyard came past my stand nudging does,” said Doug. “And I thought I made an easy shot”!

“Unfortunately, later we learned that my shot wasn’t so perfect,” continued Doug. “We learned that a small limb near my stand was cut by my broadhead”.

And so it sometimes goes in bow hunting.

Even the smallest of obstruction between hunter and the hunted can turn what appears to be great luck into a bag of sour apples.

“There was a decent blood trail for 120 yards and then it just stopped”, said Doug of the shot.

“My son Tyler and I were BOTH sick about wounding the buck,” he continued. “However, we learned that Junkyard was still alive through various trail camera pictures of him again that started showing up just a week after that shot”.

“We saw Junkyard off and on during November and his condition pulled at our hearts,” mentions Doug.

“He was clearly hobbling on three legs, and he seemed disturbed by other bucks chasing does around his area,” Doug continued.

And Tyler says, “I watched Junkyard one time as he made a large circle, thrashing trees and making scrapes”.

And it turns out that Tyler came to full draw on the monster Iowa buck that day! But it was a straight-on, low-odds, shot. A shot that is very risky for a bow hunter to take.

A Mature Hunter

The monster Iowa buck was toying with a 13-year old, young man’s, nerves just standing there 15-yards distant!

“I held back and held back and finally had to slowly let down the string,” said Tyler of that encounter.

Resisting such temptation is no easy thing for any hunter – let alone a 13-year-old boy!

But as Tyler’s father Doug will say, “He is a very mature hunter”.

And I can attest to that, even with my limited observations and time spent around him — Tyler seems to have the maturity level of someone a decade or more to his elder.

And his Dad will tell you, too, that his son can shoot a bow (or a gun)!

“Tyler can sit there and shoot small groups into a circle at 50 or 60 yards with his bow”.

But, and back to the story now, having the monster buck of your dreams just standing there near
your tree for minutes on end is unnerving and a hard opportunity not to take – it’s a lot of tempting bait to refuse for any hunter, let alone a youth with limited first-hand experiences to draw upon.

“I ended up drawing back one last time,” quipped Tyler.

Unfortunately for Tyler, the bow’s limb hit something and the shot grazed off.

And the Junkyard buck finally decided that is was due time to get the heck out of Dodge!

And leave he did! But not before accidentally stepping on Tyler’s carbon arrow, snapping it in half!

Here are trail camera images of “Junkyard” revealing how much difference just one year can make!

The Iowa Junkyard Buck Wins the first round

“We decided that we had our chances at the Iowa beast that year and that that was enough,” said Doug.

“We decided that we’d just let the beast roam that fall and take our chances if he would make it to the next season. We had our chances and he won”!

“So, continued Doug, we just decided to run cameras on video mode and get as much evidence of this buck as we could for the next year.” “We crossed our fingers that he would make it to the next year”. (I would be crossing my toes too!)

But would he?

“We just didn’t know if the Junkyard buck was still healthy enough to make it through the winter or if some gun hunter would get him,” said Doug.

“We figured he was just 3.5 years old from our experience with seeing him both on camera and on the hoof. But he was looking ragged”. “We just didn’t know if he would make it but we figured that he deserved a chance at that point so we didn’t go after him anymore that year.”

Only time will tell.

Amazingly enough, as time went on, evidence of the junkyard buck came in via trail cameras!

“We learned that Junkyard was indeed going to survive,” touted Doug!

“We got him on camera in early summer of 2016 and he looked as healthy as ever,”! “He was heavy and robust”!

And before they knew it another bow season had rolled around.

And it was time for round two with Junkyard.

And believe this or not, but Junkyard was captured on a trail camera standing right under one of their tree stands in broad daylight on that day of September the 30’th. Which, oh by the way, just happened to be the same day that Tyler shot a different Iowa monster buck!This big whitetail “only” scoring 165″!

Not bad, not bad at all!

That hunt took place during the Iowa youth season (and, well, is really a whole other story).

You see, it turns out that Tyler shot it while hunting out of a tin lean-to shanty sort of a deal.

A place the buck was using to bed in for protection on hot days.

Tyler and his dad waited for this buck inside the shanty for about 12 hours — Tyler studying for his home-school work while he waited nonetheless!

And the buck finally showed — and Tyler greeted it with a bang!

Tyer and his 165″ inch Iowa “tin-shack” buck!

And it was a BIG buck — somewhere here or there around 165-inches!

But the buck wasn’t the Junkyard buck and Tyler still had a bow tag! (and a late muzzleloader
tag — and oh, by the way, Tyler shot another buck then too! Why am I not surprised?)

October 31’st 2016 — The Big Day

“It was warm and muggy on my way into the place we call the “Rob Stand” said Tyler.

“It was just after 8 am. when I saw my first deer”.

It was a buck we called “Slim Jim” and he came right in over a creek crossing trail soon after I’d rattled!”

How big was Slim Jim? Oh — 170 B & C-inches or so!

But it wasn’t the Junkyard Buck.

“We’d decided that we would only shoot Junkyard that year, so I let Slim Jim walk”, said Tyler. “Slim Jim would have been my biggest bow kill but we were after the Junkyard buck.

Fourteen-years-old? Mature hunter? Dumb question!

This kid is solid as a rock!

Just after Slim Jim walked through Tyler’s shooting lane he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

“It was Junkyard”, exclaimed Tyler!

And he was on the same trail that Slim Jim had just crossed the small creek on.

Face-Face!

Before Tyler knew it, he was face to face with the Iowa mega-giant monster buck of his dreams.

A buck he’d dreamed about many a night!

A buck he’d daydreamed about many a day!

And in just moments, the Junkyard buck had closed the distance to just 21-yards!

“I waited as calmly as possible for Junkyard to close the gap,” said Tyler.

As any bowhunters can attest things happen in a dreamy blur at that moment in time. The moment of truth or consequences

when the bowhunter releases the arrow from the string.

“Just where did the shot hit the buck,” is always the ultimate question of critical importance at the moment of arrow impact on deer.

“It looked like a good hit but that it was probably a liver hit as well,” said Tyler. “I watched the Junkyard buck bed down several times before eventually limping off”.

“The whole time Slim Jim stood at about 60 yards just watching things happen,” continued Tyler.

What to do…what to do?

When in doubt wait it out…is the old bowhunter adage that has more truth to it than some people may attest.

“We decided to wait several hours before ultimately making a grid search and finding the buck,” said Tyler.

It turned out that Junkyard had only gone about 200-yards.

“Throughout that whole process — from the time I saw Junkyard at that creek crossing until after we found him, it felt like a dream,” said Tyler. “I kept asking myself is this really happening”? “Did I really just shoot Junkyard?!”

The man on the other end wanted to sell his small Iowa farm. And, of course, he wanted to sell it for a good profit. And then he wanted to use that money to buy another, larger farm.

Good idea!

But he didn’t want to pay any capital gains taxes on the land that he was selling.

Another good idea, right? I mean who does want to pay taxes?

Of course, he may have to pay taxes. We all do. Unless that is, we employ a process called the 1031-tax deferred exchange.

What is a 1031-tax deferred exchange? (or just 1031-tax exchange)

By using 1031 tax exchange, a person can “defer” the gains on the sale of real property into another piece of real property.

Any real property into any other real property. This means you can exchange a farm for another farm, a home, or maybe a commercial building, if desired, for example.

Say for instance that you purchased a 40- Iowa parcel of land ten years ago for $60,000. And, suppose, that right now you have a buyer that is ready to hand over $90,000 for that parcel of Iowa land.

What happens to the $30,000 gain?

In a normal transaction that gain is taxable and in this case would be considered a long-term capital gain (since it was held for at least one year). But by employing the process of the 1031- tax exchange, you would not have to pay any gain on that $30,000 (at least, not at the time of the sale).

The $30,000 gain would simply be rolled into the purchase price of another, usually larger, and more expensive property. Perhaps you found an 80-acre parcel down the road for $160,000 that you’d like to buy, for instance.

Well, now, if you carry out a 1031-tax exchange, you have most are all of the down payment necessary to purchase that 80-acre farm!

The good part is that you can use the full power of the gain instead of getting slammed with paying taxes on it.

This lets you build up to bigger and larger parcels of land much, much, faster and with less out-of-pocket expense than you ever could otherwise!

So, that entire capital gain, usually, transfers into another “replacement” property right after you sell. You don’t, normally, put any of it in your pocket but it does go right into an investment that is typically more expensive than the one you previously had. This is the basis of the process – the 1031-tax exchange process lets you carry gains with you as you step up to more expensive properties.

It’s not hard to see that doing this not only helps save you tons of tax money but it also helps you build up a bigger and healthier looking real estate portfolio over time (whether that was your goal of not).

Some people seem scared or intimated of the process or they think it is something new and “tricky”.

The 1031-tax exchange is used and has been used, by thousands of experienced real estate investors every year as a means to help create wealth and as a means to build up to bigger and better parcels of land. And it can and does do that! It is not a new or secret process.

How to go about using a 1031-tax exchange.

The first thing to realize is that doing a tax exchange, while simple in concept, is still rather complex.

There are lots of rules and stipulations that must be followed to the letter for this to work.

But, rest easy, a good real estate attorney will handle all of this for you. And you do need one if you are going to do a 1031-tax exchange.

In general, the seller of a property should establish if he/she wishes to carry out an exchange before they decide to sell.

An attorney will set up the required documents for the 1031 tax exchange process to carry out legally and accurately.

When you sell your property for a profit, you then have 45-days to find a suitable replacement property. This is usually a more expensive and, thus, often is also a larger property that you will move the capital gain of the sale of the relinquished, property into.

Once you’ve identified a replacement property, you then have 6-months to close on that property.

Again, you will want a good real estate attorney who is familiar with 1031-exchange laws to carry this out for you! (They are not hard to find via Google or the good old yellow pages!)

A neutral, third-party, intermediary actually holds the money from the gain of the relinquished property in a trust account until the closing day of the replacement property (known as a “safe harbor”).

An important component of the laws around this is that the seller of the relinquished property never really touches the profits!

Most of the time all of the profits from the sale of the relinquished property are then put right back into a replacement property.

One can keep some of the profits if they desire, but those profits would be taxable (known as “taxable boot money”). Again, the 1031-tax exchange rules are strict and the procedures must be carried out exactly as prescribed.

But don’t let that scare you, a good attorney will handle this for you!

You don’t really need to do anything yourself, as a seller, but to concentrate on selling your property. And then on finding a suitable replacement for your profits to go into.

Flow chart showing the process and power of using a 1031-tax deferred exchange.

An interesting thing to note is that you can carry on this 1031 exchange process your whole life – that is, you can buy and sell, buy and sell, buy and sell, each time making profits that roll into the next using the 1031 tax exchange process.

Each time you do this you are carrying all of the profits from one property into the next – helping you to build more and more acres of land each time you carry it out.

This sort of multiplier effect of being able to use all of the profits, instead of paying huge taxes on each sale, each time you “reload” to get more land is huge!

The 1031 tax exchange process really lets you build up allot of valuable land in the quickest and cheapest way possible. Simply put, you get a huge break each time you buy because you aren’t paying taxes on the profits of the previous sale – the profits all go straight into your new replacement property. This happens each and every time you do this – for as long as you want.

But why do they call it a 1031 deferred tax exchange if you never have to pay taxes on the land that you continue to buy?

Well, at some point, when you decide to sell your final piece of land later in life and want to take the profits with you to live the good life in Hawaii, then you would need to pay the taxes on the profits of the sale.

But maybe instead of taking the profits out of your final parcel of land and moving to Hawaii, you simply decide to “will” the assets that you acquired using the 1031 process to your heirs.

Then – when you die – your property all gets transferred to those chosen and they do not have to pay any of the taxes that you deferred along the way.

No kidding!

They would pay taxes on the property that you gave to them should they elect to sell but they do not have to pay all the back tax-deferred gains that you used to get there!

They would just be taxed on any gain from the sale of the property that is over and above the then appraised value of the property.

There you have it: a quick overview of the 1031-tax exchange process. Keep in mind that I am not an attorney and that this information is just meant as general guidance based on my understanding of the current tax code. You should always seek the representation of a qualified real estate attorney and/or other tax professional when doing a 1031-tax deferred exchange.

The Quick Low-Down:

Final Analysis: The Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem MV1did very well overall in our 12-week, real-world field test. We give the unit an 8 out of 10.

It’s only real weakness was a rather cheesy design for securing it with a Python-type cable (but we feel no matter what you do, a thief who really wanted something strapped to a tree is going to get it).

Battery life was good, and we have little doubt that it would have been better had we used the suggested lithium batteries.

The fact that every modem needs it’s own data account with Verizon means that it could get rather costly if you added very many of these units to your field-scouting arsenal, as well. (Just something to keep in mind).

The real question to us is this: would we buy another one of these units? (We aren’t given these units, we buy them with our own cold-hard cash). And the answer is a resounding YES! These units revolutionize the way you scout using trail cameras. And we believe the wireless design is the future of trail cameras. I plan on picking up at least a couple more for next season. They keep you from scaring animals because you don’t have to barge in periodically to pull memory cards. And, perhaps most important, they let you hunt what is currently happening instead of what has happened! This means you can sneak in and hunt stands that are hot right at that very minute! A HUGE advantage for sure and one that we have taken advantage of ourselves.

The Test:

The Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem MV1 is used to connect to a suitable Moultrie camera so that images from the camera can be transmitted electronically to be viewed on a desktop computer or mobile device.

The camera takes the picture and, presto, the picture is pretty much immediately visible on the device!

But does Moultrie wireless modem work?

That is the question.

Pros:

The Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem is small and lightweight at 18 ¾ ounces or 1.17 pounds (with a full set of 8-AA batteries according to my digital kitchen scale) (easy to transport)

The modem measures: 3.5 x 5.5 x 1 ¾ inches (roughly)

The Moultrie wireless modem is small. Here is is in my hand with the Moultrie 888i mini game camera that I used as well.

A free Application is available for Android and Apple devices. The app. Lets you do everything you can on your desktop computer as far as seeing photos and controlling your camera goes.

The wireless modem appears to be well made and was reliably weatherproof in 12-weeks of field use. (I used the wireless modem in a variety of weather conditions, from 90-degrees Fahrenheit down to -10 zero, along with heavy rains and snowy conditions)

The Moultrie wireless modem has rubberized gaskets around the connections to help seal it from fowl weather.

Despite the camera I choose to run with the wireless modem needing a firmware upgrade, it was still a very straightforward and easy setup. Moultrie states that you must make sure the camera you choose to use with the modem has the necessary updates — so this step is critical!

I used Duracell batteries initially because that is what I had. I replaced the Duracell Quantum batteries when they were only down to about 60% just because I was in the area and didn’t then and didn’t know when I would be in the area again or how fast they would go down from there.

I replaced those batteries with Rayovac High-Energy. Again, because those is what I happened to have with me.

I didn’t expect much from these batteries, to be honest. However, they did very well and accounted for a solid 6-weeks of performance and more than 2,000 photos in some very cold and nasty Iowa winter weather conditions (several days below zero). The Duracell Quantum batteries did well too and lasted 6-7 weeks and accounted for about 1500 photos (the weather during this period was mostly mild and in the 45-90 degree Fahrenheit range).

The modem was easy to hang on a tree with the included nylon strap. Although the plastic strap-clasp left something to be desired, at least upon first glance, it actually worked well and was easy to use. The strap had plenty of length and according to my trusty tape measure should go around a 23” diameter tree with about 1” inch to spare.

The plastic clasp on the nylon strap of the Moultrie Mobile Wireless Modem MV1

The wireless modem does have holes along the side for which one could use a locking cable in some effort to secure it to a tree from theft. However, the unit, like all units on the market that I am aware of, is made of plastic. Even a stupid and/or lazy thief would not have much problem stealing such a unit, if he/she wanted to.

The Moultrie wireless modem connected fast to the Verizon 3G data network that it must use. (The Moultrie wireless modem must run on Verizon and uses no other carrier at the moment)

Status level indicators along the side of the unit tell battery supply levels and data connection strength. The on and off button is right there as well.

In my area, Verizon works pretty well. But, you need to check the coverage map to see if Verizon has good coverage in your area. Moultrie suggests having at least three bars of strength showing on the unit itself for good results with the Moultrie wireless modem.

The Moultrie wireless modem is separate from the camera itself. Although not a feature in any way of product quality or build, this could be a handy and cost-saving feature if you happen to already have at least one Moultrie camera that is 2015 or newer. (Note: “A” series cameras have limited functionality with the Moultrie Mobile system according to company data).

Also, whenever the modem decides to quit working, someday, who knows when, it should be cheaper to replace just the modem than a competitors unit that may have the camera and modem combined as one, such as the Covert Special Ops Code Black or Spartan HD Go Cam (I have zero experience with either of these).

Of course, the camera would quit working some time too. But with a combined unit, one would need to replace the whole thing — meaning both the camera and the modem, if either one would go out.

Cons:

I didn’t really find any problems with using the Moultrie wireless modem. Moultrie acknowledged that they did have some problems with their website but they fixed that issue right away.

The holes to run a “Python” or similar cable locking device around the wireless modem are plastic – easy for someone to steal this unit if they really wanted to. (This is not unlike most every other unit I have seen though)

The Moultrie wireless modem is mass produced in China. Is this good or bad?

For nearly 10 years, I’ve used wireless cameras in the field and have long understood their advantages for hunting. Simply put, they tell you what is happening NOW not just what has happened IN THE PAST.

This is a major advantage of a wireless camera system!

If you see a big buck working a scrape at 2 pm on November 02, for example, then perhaps you can sneak into a stand just down the ridge and intercept that buck.

Or, maybe, just that piece of information will help decide for you better of what could have been a “coin flip” sort of decision over where and of which stand to hunt that evening. Now, you will go where you just saw a big buck on your camera!

You simply do not get this sort of instant information from a “traditional” trail camera setup.

This is a clear advantage with an “instant” or “wireless” trail camera setup. In fact, I’ve used this sort of instant information myself to harvest a big buck on more than one occasion, over the years!

Another huge advantage with a wireless trail camera system is that you don’t have to traipse through the woods every so often to check your camera. This not only disturbs the very game that you are after but it is extra time and effort on your part as well (which usually equates to extra money too)!

With a wireless trail camera setup, you no longer do you have to drive down to the farm, spending time and money on gas and whatever else along the way, just to check your trail cameras. Now, the pictures are delivered right to your email inbox, or via text, just seconds after being taken!

Talk about convenience and a great money saving advantage in the long run! This really is it.

The future of game cameras:

I’ve been using wireless cameras for years now but not this type.

I had always used the Buckeye Orion system.

The Buckeye system has been near bulletproof for me, too. I have two of these cameras setups running pretty much 365-days per year and they work 24/7 for me. I rig them with a solar panel and the only time I touch them is every year or two when one of the $35 batteries decides that it will no longer take a charge. That’s it. And, no, I’m not kidding! I have no experience with the new, and less expensive, X series of cameras that Buckeye is selling.

The built-in-Ohio Buckeye system has been very reliable for me (and they have top-notch customer service, although, I’ve found that I hardly ever need to use it because their cameras just keep working). However, the Orion system that I’ve always used is expensive and, since I used their computer-based system, my cameras need to be within a mile or so of the base station, which is attached to my computer (the company claims up to a 2-mile range and that may be true over open areas but that is not realistic in the rolling woods where I hunt. I know. I’ve tried to extend the range).

So, I use the Buckeye system on my home farm. But on other farms, where I don’t have a computer within a mile of the cameras I place, I need another system. Buckeye has one. Bu,t their cell-based system is costly and a beast of a system to set up (I know, I’ve set them up).

I’ve been waiting for a cheaper and easier wireless camera alternative.

A small and a highly portable alternative.

I knew the technology existed so where was it? How come no one seem to be using this technology?

I waited.

And I waited.

And, finally, someone seems to have delivered an answer.

Or did they?

Does Moultrie have the answer with their new Moultrie MV1 Field Modem?

After all, I did need a camera to use with the modem. I had a several older Moultrie cameras but the new wireless modem system only works with Moultrie cameras of 2015 and newer. (It turns out that I am REALLY happy with this camera! It has been flawless so far and the battery life and image quality have proven excellent as well).

In total, I spent $347.99 to create a system that, on paper, looks to be very impressive. I could have spent less and gone with a cheaper Moultrie camera than is the 888-i mini. I went with this one because it looked to be a solid camera as far as features go: having 14-megapixel resolution, a 0.7 second trigger speed, a claimed long battery life, and last but certainly not least – and a really BIG feature to me – is that it also has invisible night-time IR.

I thought this camera and this wireless modem should combine to make a really killer combination in the field.

You’ll need to be sure that you have fresh AA batteries for your camera and for your field modem (they each take eight AA’s). Moultrie suggests using Lithium or Energizer batteries. Well, I had Duracell Quantum batteries, in my “battery drawer” at home, for some strange reason, so that’s what I put into the modem for its first test run.

I was pretty sure that the recommended lithium batteries would probably be best – especially in super cold weather or when ultimate long battery life is desired. But they are quite a bit more expensive and I would be running my camera close to home and in pretty mild temperatures, at least initially. So, I figured that if the modem ate through my batteries really fast I would be able to change them out pretty easily anyway. No big deal.

I realized, though, that since lithium batteries were recommended my Moultrie wireless modem might not even work correctly without them.

However, I thought I would just give them a shot anyway. After all, I had nothing to lose.

And one KEY thing I found out, too, is that your camera must have taken at least one picture in it’s “lifetime” before it will work with the modem. That’s really weird, I thought when I read that. But, okay, easy enough, so I waved my hand in front of the camera and completed that mission.

But, I found out, that this was no big deal. I just followed the directions on the website.

I downloaded the updates onto an SD card and placed the card into my camera. From there, the camera installed the updates with a flip of a switch.

Again, no problem.

Select Data Plan

The next thing to do was to select the data plan, from Verizon, that I desired:

I really wasn’t sure where I was even going to place the camera yet – on a trail, fence crossing, or maybe over a scrape? I might even place it over a small food plot where I could get lots of pictures of deer in a very short amount of time. For this reason, I selected the large data plan for $19.99/month. (And I found out that this plan was plenty large enough for the photos that were taken over the course of the test).

Setting it up in the field

Next, I simply went out to the field and found a spot to hang the camera and associated field modem. I ended up finding an area adjacent a small field.

The Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem MV1 uses a 30- inch heavy-duty USB cord to connect to a suitable Moultrie camera. The cord has rubberized ends to effectively seal out the weather.

I strapped the camera to the tree and then placed the Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem MV1 on the tree just above the camera. I then connected the two with the heavy-duty USB cable that came with the Moultrie wireless Modem. I turned on the camera and then the wireless modem and. ..voila!

Everything seemed to be working! (press the “test” button on the right side of the modem to turn it on. The Moultrie wireless modem has various status level indicators showing connectivity to the data server, to the camera, and a battery strength level, indicator).

To be honest, that’s pretty much it! (And this may all sound like a lot but in reality, it wasn’t hard at all to get the system up and running and in short order).

The camera and Moultrie wireless modem sat there, strapped to that little shingle oak tree, for a few months and kept up their end of the promise – delivering me nice images straight to my web page account with Moultrie (you get this page when you initially register the modem with Moultrie. It’s where you log in to view your photos and make adjustments to your camera system and modem).

Now, from my computer – or mobile device – I can do and see all sorts of things relating to my camera and Moutrie wireless modem. Things like adjust detection delay times, PIR sensitivity level, time lapse on/off times, as well as the resolution of the photo and various other things.

It really IS amazing!

I can be sitting in my tree stand and check photos that came into my email just seconds earlier from a camera just around the corner! Or, perhaps, from a camera across the country that I decide to put on the system!

Here is a view of the Moultrie website where you can see all sorts of details regarding your modem and camera signal.

You can see how much control you have remotely. Right from the web page, you can adjust most functions of your camera remotely.

How’s that for convenience?

Is it reliable?

I was expecting problems, to be honest.

But the system was near bulletproof for me, during the nearly 12 week test period.

Actually the system WAS bulletproof, for me.

I did receive a notice from Moultrie in early January, via email. They apologized because they were experiencing some issues with their website. However, I didn’t notice an issue with this. And less than a day later, I received an email from Moultrie stating that they were happy to report that the website issue had been resolved.

I was doing some work in the area of the test camera in early December and noticed that the Duracell Quantum batteries that I had originally placed in the modem were down to about 60% (this was after 6-7 weeks and 1200 photos or so). Not knowing how fast they would then drop down to zero percent in the colder temperatures that were moving in, or when I’d have another easy chance to replace batteries, I decided to put in some new ones. So I put in the only batteries that I had, which happened to be Rayovac High Energy.

Were they really High Energy?

I had my doubts about those batteries working very well or for very long in the COLD temperatures that we were starting to have. But top my surprise, these batteries did really well and lasted until January 23. So, they lasted 5-6 weeks and were good for about 2,000 photos. I was pretty happy with these results, especially considering that we had some very cold days during this period, including some sub-zero temperatures, and that they weren’t even the recommended lithium batteries.

Despite the cold and the snow and the down-pouring Iowa rains that we experienced during the time that I ran the Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem MV1, the unit performed to near perfection.

I found the Moultrie wireless modem made good tight connections with the supplied heavy-duty USB connection cord.

In fact, I would say that the unit performed beyond my expectations.

The Moultrie wireless modem just worked and it delivered what was promised. It did this 100% of the time during my test period.

The short antenae screws on and off.

I haven’t talked about the images from this setup for a reason.

That’s because you can use many different cameras with the Moultrie Wireless Field Modem MV1. Thus, you can have many different levels of camera picture/resolution quality, depending upon the camera you decide to use. So pictures you get from this system will, no doubt, be dependent upon which Moultrie camera you elect to use and what resolution you have it set to.

An image of an Iowa whitetail buck. I selected a medium resolution with my camera settings most of the time. This seemed like all the resolution that was necessary to field inspect whitetails.

Image of a red fox. I played around with my camera’s settings on the Moultrie website access control panel. It is easy to change such things such as image resolution, PIR sensitivity, timelapse, capture modes, etc., all from your computer at home or mobile device!

I was happy using a medium resolution setting with the Moultrie 888-i mini game camera that I used. One can request high-resolution images from Moultrie any time. There is no additional expense for high-resolution images but it does add to the amount of data that comes off the plan that you choose.

Image of an Iowa whitetail taken with the help of the Moultrie Wireless Field Modem.

I can tell you this: The Moultrie 888-i mini Game Camera that I used delivered high-quality images. The images had a high degree of dynamic and tonal range as well as crispness and overall image “pop”. I didn’t expect anything more, especially from a trail camera.

No, you probably won’t get cover material for National Geographic via your Moultrie wireless modem. But you’ll be able to impress yourself or your friends with some great images of deer and other critters that your system catches day or night. I was, and still am, more than pleased with both the modem and the camera!

Of course, there are other wireless trail camera systems on the market now, too. It seems like this segment of the market sort of took off the last couple of years.

What about those?

Browning makes a camera with a built-in modem, for instance. I’ve heard some good things about this unit. I thought about getting this unit instead of the Moultrie at first. But after I found out that the Browning uses AT&T, I knew I couldn’t go that route.

In my area of southern Iowa, AT&T service is right next to being non-functional. I had to have a unit that relied upon either U.S. Cellular or Verizon. Those being the only two companies that really had reliable signals in my region.

So one key thing to ask yourself is “what is the best service provider in the area I’m going to put my camera”? You have to have at least decent coverage for a system to work.

Another reason I choose the Moultrie Mobile wireless modem over a different make is that the other companies all seemed to have their modem built right in with the camera – as an “all-in-one” unit. (Such as those from Spartan and Covert).

And maybe this seems like a good, or even better, idea at first.

But, after thinking about it, I figured it might be better to have a $200 modem vs ? amount more with a camera/modem combination all-in-one setup. I mean these things are going to break or just quit working sometime, right?

And when they do?

I’d rather be replacing a $200 modem than whatever more it may cost to replace both the camera and the modem as I would have to do given a different unit (even if only one component goes faulty). So I wouldn’t be hit in the pocketbook quite as hard or all at once anyway with the Moultrie.

And, I like the way the Moultrie wireless modem can be used with any 2015 or newer trail camera, too — instead of just some camera that the modem is built around.

It just seems the Moultrie wireless modem is a bit more adaptive in that regard with different cameras that I may end up with over time.

We will see how the Moultrie Mobile Wireless Field Modem MV1 holds up.

An old friend from eastern Iowa called me, “We really had a great hunt this morning”, he said excitedly. “We set up on a big open ridge and howled at first light,”

He continued on, “Within minutes a coyote howled back seconds and seconds later two coyotes sprinted right at us, full-bore”. Geez, I said. Incredible!

“It was definitely exciting, and we got really lucky, my friend continued on, when they both slammed on the breaks at about 80 yards. They stopped just long enough to get off a couple of shots and we got them both”!

Wow, what a hunt!

Of course, a story having such an outcome doesn’t always happen when calling Iowa coyotes. But it does happen, and fairly routinely.

In fact, some sort of action typically unfolds every other setup or so. As long as the hunter is careful and set up correctly, that is. And, of course, so long as a hunter is in good coyote country and is calling at the right time of day (and year). (I’m not saying this is always easy).

An absolute key is, to face into the wind with each setup. A coyote’s nose always knows — so fooling a coyote’s nose is the first step in calling one to you.

What sort of call?

I like to use an electric caller.

I’ve had excellent results with theHunter’s Specialties Johnny Stewart predator call (about $35 — it’s a steal). The range for the remote on this goes out to about 50- yards — which is long enough (just barely) and the call has 5 pre-programmed sounds. (They still make this call, I believe, but I think it has been upgraded since I’ve bought mine). This call may be inexpensive but I’ve called in several coyotes and foxes with mine (and even a couple of bobcats). I’ve had mine for several years and it just keeps working. It’s great for “running and gunning” because it is super light-weight and fits easily right in your pocket.

This little electronic call from Johnny Stewart is inexpensive — about $30 — but it has shown that sure can call in coyotes and other predators.

However, I also employ a more expensive, and louder, FoxPro Wildfire electronic caller (I don’t believe they make this exact model any longer. I believe the FoxPro Inferno is a newer and more upgraded version — it comes with 75 sounds built-in and you can download up to 200 sounds total onto this unit from the FoxPro web site).

FoxPro, and other call manufacturers, often tout how many different sounds their callers can produce and be can programmed for. But to be honest, you only need a few different sounds to call in an Iowa coyote. But, there is no doubt that the foxPro and other electronic calls on the market are truly fantastic for calling in predators! A big advantage with these units over the little Johnny Stewart caller previously mentioned is that they are much louder which is great in the wind! They can also be used with an auxiliary speaker as well to make them even louder. Plus, their remotes usually operate at a longer range too.

FoxPro makes some great and sophisticated calls. This is one of their older and more basic models but it works very well in all conditions and is plenty loud enough for most situations.

The various prey-in-distress sounds of the: cottontail, jackrabbit, squirrel, and fawn. Plus, a few different howls are the calls that are generally used to call in an Iowa “song dog”. And that’s it. You don’t need a call that is capable of producing 100’s of sounds to call in coyotes, that’s for sure. (But they sure are nice!)

I’ve called in lots of coyotes with a traditional mouth-blown call. The various calls that Primos and Dan Thompson put out are usually great. I really like the Dan Thompson PC-2 for squealing just like a rabbit!

Mouth-blown calls like the howler — above — and the rabbit-in-distress — below — work well. Their major downside is that predators like to circle downwind and they may pick you off as the source of the sound before you can get a shot.

I like to set up 40-80 yards downwind of the actual call (depending upon the terrain – the thicker the cover is, the closer you’ll need to set-up so that you can see what is happening).

Being able to set up some distance away from that actual call itself is the real advantage of the electronic caller vs. use a traditional hand-held caller. Nearly every predator that comes into a call is going to circle downwind of it – they don’t always do this but they most often do.

So if you are camped out right on top of your caller you may be busted by the nose of the coyote before you can get a shot.

I typically set up my speaker in an open area – so any coyote approaching can see it from quite a ways off. They don’t know what it is from a distance and I think they assume it’s the dying rabbit that they think they hear screaming. I’ve never seen where a coyote spooks from it even at close range and it seems to draw them in out of curiosity – they may think it’s a funny looking rabbit sitting there but it’s about the same size and it seems to me like they believe that is what it is. I’ve had bobcats come right up and sit next to the call!

When is a good time to hunt Iowa coyotes?

Well, as far as time of year goes, now is a great time.

Coyotes breed in the wintertime, in Iowa, and become responsive to various sorts of howl calls.

Sometimes a coyote will howl back when you howl with your call and sometimes they just sort of come sneaking in. You just never now and so you have to always be ready the moment you start calling!

You can try howling to see if that works first. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. Lots of guys swear by it. It does work but I think having luck with howling is very dependent upon the particular mood they are in during the immediate breeding season.

I’ve found that I’ve had my best luck, however, with a cottontail rabbit in distress call. In my area, rabbits are numerous and the coyotes seem to really key on them as food items of choice. It seems like the success of the rabbit-in-distress call has a direct relationship with the snow and the cold – the worse the weather the better that sort of call works. So don’t let the snow and the cold stop you. That is the best time to go call in a coyote!

But you don’t want to over-call!

In each spot, I’ll call one sequence of calls every 10 minutes or so until I elect to move onto a new location (often calling progressively loader each time).

Best times to hunt are early and late and even at night (full-moon conditions). It’s totally possible to have some great hunts all day long, especially during the winter coyote breeding season and/or when food is sparse.

I’ve found that giving each spot 45-minutes or so is about right. Sometimes, a nearby coyote will come right in when it hears the call and sometimes it seems to take them a while.

New Calling Locations:

When you setup each time, it’s important to get quite a ways away from your previous spot. I try to go at least as far as I think the noise coming out of my call speaker is going! How far is that? Your guess is as good as mine. Who really knows. Coyotes can hear so much better than we can, so that’s always just a guess.

A key, though, seems to be covering lots of ground with your calling and not over-calling any one area. Iowa coyotes often range huge areas – especially when food is sparse (up to several thousand acres). And, coyotes are cagey smart. If you call one in, or group of them, and mess up, you can plan on calling them in again to be that much harder.

Iowa coyotes — like coyotes everywhere –get wise and get wise quick! The best bet with calling is to move around widely and cover lots of new areas to avoid educating the coyotes in any one spot.

With each set-up, make sure the wind is as much in your face as possible. And, you will want head-to-toe camo. Being statue-still is paramount when calling as a coyote – or a bobcat or fox – may be silently sneaking in and eying your location.

What gun to use?

A couple of “song dogs” I shot with my trusty .223 a while back. Notice how mangy the one on the left looks!

Anything you want really. A .17, .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .220 Swift, .243 etc., etc. There are allot or great choices out there and the choice is yours. I shoot a .223 – mainly because that is what I have. It does work well, though. Some folks use a 12 gauge shotgun, armed with buckshot. This would be a good choice for close-in shooting in thick cover where shots could be quick.

Why hunt coyotes?

Some hunters may feel like they are doing their deer herd the grandest of favors when they shoot a coyote.

And while there is no doubt that coyotes do eat fawns and sometimes packs of coyotes may even overcome healthy deer – especially in deep snow conditions where deer may be less mobile – shooting a coyote or two doesn’t really do that much to help the deer herd. In fact, it probably doesn’t help herd numbers at all long-term.

I recall a college professor in a wildlife management class speaking of coyote population biology and how coyotes populations tend to be cyclical in response to the cyclical nature of rabbit populations.

It turns out that as rabbit numbers build….so, too, do coyote numbers. This continues on over a typical 10-year rabbit population cycle before rabbit populations ultimately crash back to the bottom again – at which point they start right back building up numbers again. However, coyote populations are still high when the rabbit populations crash at the end of their typical 10-year cycle. And those coyotes get hungry because of reduced prey numbers then. So we tend to see them more often roaming during daylight hours during these seasons of higher coyote numbers but lower prey numbers.

Coyotes have built-in adaptive mechanism that enables them to dwindle and shift their population as prey numbers dwindle and shift their population levels.

Something that is pretty interesting, too, is that whenever humans pressure the coyote population, the coyote population tends to increase not decrease.

Coyotes have an interesting trait whereby they increase the size of their litters from an avearge of 5 or 6 to as many as a 12-16 pups, whenever the human population puts any kind of pressure on their population. Also, when coyote howls are not answered by other coyotes during the breeding season, female coyotes somehow are innately triggered to produce larger litters that year. It is clear that coyotes have an adaptive trait that enables them to survive – maybe even better – when humans put pressure on them. We can reduce coyote numbers by 70% and by the next summer the population will be right back to the original number! (1)

But just because we can’t ultimately dictate the long-term population level of coyotes and deer herd numbers, by hunting coyotes – doesn’t mean that we, as hunters, can’t make some short term benefits in regard to our local deer herd by shooting a coyote or two. By taking a few coyotes we are most likely lowering the stress level of the local deer herd that year by way of reducing the number of stressful deer/coyote interactions. This is a good thing.

Now is the time for some super exciting coyote calling action! Iowa has plenty of coyotes and calling them in makes for a super exciting hunt!

Another option is to take the whole coyote into the nearest fur dealer: they might give you a few dollars for it whole or they might not. You have a better chance of selling it if you skin it and take it in: expect to get anywhere from $10-$35.

Timber stand improvement(tsi) is something I get asked about quite a bit. Allot of landowners hear about it and wonder if they need it.

What is tsi?

Timber stand improvement is really just a heading under which a few different forest management practices fall.

Crop tree release is one such prescription and is a major practice under the general heading of “tsi”.

Crop tree release means, basically, just what it says.

The process is done by selecting certain trees that the forest manager decides to keep, called “crop trees”. These desired trees are then marked with a band of tree paint (Or a big dot on 4-sides. The dots are usually reserved just on the really big trees, to save paint!).

Although the red “crop tree paint line” is fading after five years or so, one can still see the chosen crop tree, white oak, in the foreground.

These crop trees are your “keepers” – the one’s you’ll be managing for. Most of the time these are young trees, those that appear in good health, are vigorously growing, and have, at least, good potential for lumber and/or wildlife value.

What crop tree release calls for, then, is to “release” the canopies of the selected crop trees. This means that any and all trees that have a canopy that is within a few feet of the crop tree should be killed. You heard me right — killed! This scares the daylights out of some people. And I know exactly how they feel. It’s not easy winding your way around a white or red oak with your old Jonsered chainsaw roaring! It’s especially not easy the first time you do a tsi job. I mean it’s hard to think about killing good tree species!

But the truth is, one has to kill lots of trees to make room for the fewer good ones that the site can adequately support. And support in terms of allowing the crop trees to grow to their full capability. This 4-sided kill “releases” the crop tree to receive full sunlight to all the leaves on all four sides of the tree. Thus, crop tree release is done to enhance sunlight to the canopies of the chosen trees.

This photo shows the canopy of the large crop tree in the back right and a now-dead tree in the foreground. The ultimate goal for the woodland manager with crop tree release tsi is a 3 to 4-sided “release” of the canopy around the desired crop tree.

Not only is forestland mast production increased, but also the ground cover on the forest floor is enhanced via crop tree release.

However, make no mistake, the GOAL of crop tree release tsi, from a pure forestry perspective, is that of enhanced tree value, growth, and mast production, it is really not to thicken ground cover. That is a wildlife goal and is one that just sort of happens by default in many situations when crop tree release is implemented properly.

So the wildlife and forestry managers all get good results through crop tree release, in most cases (If the wildlife goal is not to thicken the understory, though, crop tree release may not be a wise choice).

Another prescription that falls under the general “TSI” heading is understory release or site preparation for natural regeneration (SPNR)

This practice is specifically done just prior to, or right after, a major tree harvest. The goal here is to get rid of all undesirable small trees and shrubs that exist (example ironwood, young elms, plums, prickly ash, multi-flora rose, Japanese honeysuckle, etc., down to about 1- inch in diameter). These are not desired because they will shade out and kill the growth of any natural, desired, regeneration that exists on the forest floor (seedling oaks, hickory, walnut, etc.,).

To be sure, and as you may imagine, site preparation for natural regeneration is hard work that is very labor intensive. Again, this procedure is usually done only just before or after major canopy, tree-top, areas are opened up from a harvest or other factor (such as wind damage).

Most Iowa woodlands can greatly benefit from some sort of TSI – most commonly the crop tree release procedure.

In regards to the wildlife end of things – and whitetail deer in particular – both TSI prescriptions really provide a boon to deer.

The increase in sun-light coming down to the forest floor after a tsi procedure encourages a thicker habitat – this means more food for deer. It also means more security cover as well! The end result is that the forested acres become more attractive to whitetails at all times of the year – not just when the acorns are dropping. The result is an increase in deer carrying capacity of your property.

And, think about this, if your timber produces 7-10 times more acorns than does your neighbor’s woods, guess where most of the deer will be during hunting season?

Guess where most of the giant bucks will prefer to be?

And, not just because they get more food and cover there but because that is where most of the does are as well. You guessed it – on your land!

There is no doubt about it, deer live in the security cover that crop tree release can produce on the floor of the forest. Food and cover resources for deer are both enhanced by the crop tree release tsi procedure.

Crop tree release tsi often creates a thicker understory habitat which is highly favorable to deer and other wildlife!

Here you can see that it is OFTEN necessary to kill desired species to get higher quality crop trees. A couple of white oaks were killed here that were too closely spaced to the higher quality, and larger, white oak crop tree marked in the center.

It’s easy to see that crop tree release tsi normally results in a thicker understory habitat. The thicker understory habitat provides more food for deer and also better security and thermal cover as well. It also provides a favored nesting habitat for wild turkeys.

No doubt about it – TSI is not only a HUGE boon for your trees but it’s also a HUGE boon to your deer population! Just to let you know, in case you may be wondering, timber stand improvement in general, and crop tree release tsi in particular, are the first things I do when I acquire a property. It just makes your property better and more valuable!

Instead of asking why do tsi, the better question is why in the world not do timber stand improvement?

Many Iowa landowners are really into managing wildlife and wildlife resources on their properties these days. That’s really good! And many landowners really understand the value of doing wise forest management. That’s fantastic too! But, while all intentions are good, many Iowa landowners could probably use a little help with tree identification. Let’s face it, identifying trees is no easy task, especially in the wintertime when most of the leaves are on the ground. Let’s take a look at a few quick pointers that should help you in your wintertime Iowa woods in regard to tree identification:

1). Walnut vs. Cottonwood

A quick slice into the outer bark of a black walnut shows that it has a dark inner layer.

The inner bark of the cottonwood is light colored — not dark, like the black walnut.

That’s right – these two species often get confused. Sometimes really confused! In fact, a forester friend of mine recently told me of a class he was teaching a while back on marking timber sales. The class members were let loose on a property and came back with over one-hundred thousand dollars worth of value on a bunch of big black walnut trees – some with veneer quality! They turned out to be all cottonwoods, with little to no value!

BIG mistake!

And these were forestry students with allot of education under their belts. This makes it pretty clear that you aren’t alone if you are getting the two species confused in your wintertime Iowa woodland. Check out the photo above for a quick way to tell the two apart with a little help of your pocket knife. Note, too, that ash can also be easily confused with black walnut. The same knife technique works on the bark — the ash has a light colored inner bark while that of the walnut is dark. The same knife technique works on the bark — the ash has a light colored inner bark while that of the walnut is dark.

2). Bitternut hickory:

The mustard-colored bud of the bitternut hickory is a telling feature.

This is a common understory tree in southern Iowa and if can get big, too. It doesn’t just stay in the understory like hophornbeam (ironwood). You’ll find bitternut hickory in the uplands mixed in with various oaks, You’ll find it in upland timber areas, commonly, mixed in with various oaks, hickory, and other species. It’s common on moist slopes and in bottomland areas too. You can recognize it in the understory by the mustard-colored buds (picture above).

3). American Elm

This white — American – elm show the buttress root characteristic that it ofen has.

The twigs of the elm are much thinner than that of an oak — and the buds of the elm are much smaller too.

This tree, believe it or not, can be confused with white oak. And it’s best not to do that if you are doing timber stand improvement on your land! Elm has a thinner outer bark and smaller buds and twigs, than does white oak. American elm also, often, has somewhat of an exposed buttress root system. This can help separate it from white oak which too, which are less likely to have this trait.

4). White vs Red oak

This photo shows the distinctive color difference of the black oak and white oak (white oak in the foreground).

There are two oak groups in Iowa. The red oak group and the white oak group. The white oak group has five species and the red oak group has six species in Iowa. The white oak group has – which oak, chinkapin oak, bur oak, post oak and swamp white oak. The red oak group has red oak, black oak, pin oak, northern pin, blackjack oak, shingle oak A quick guide to separate the two groups is – and you probably saw this one coming – the color of the bark. The white oaks have whitish or lighter colored bark, as you may have also guessed. The red oak species have darker bark (usually). (See pictures above). Black oaks – a member of the red oak group, are a typical species in southern Iowa that mix in with the red oaks.

Unfortunately, Oak Wilt kills many really nice red and black oak trees in Iowa. It’s a disease that can be contained somewhat through good management practices but it still can reak havac on your forestland acres. Fortunately, the white oaks are pretty resistent to oak wilt and it doesn’t effect them very much normally. Oak Wilt PDF (ISU)

The smooth flat-topped ridge of a red oak helps to distinguish it from a black oak, which has rougher bark. Also, red oaks tend to have less lower branching than do black oaks. (But the two species do hybridize and that confuses the issue!)

The bark of black oak tends to be rougher than that of true red oaks and black oaks tend to have more lower branches – on average – than do the white oaks. True red oaks often have flat and fairly smooth ridges that are often lighter in color than the rest of the bark — ridges that may form sort of a loose diamond pattern on the tree trunk. Black oak and red oak can hybridize and take on characteristics of both. You tend to find more red oaks on north and east slopes and black oaks tend to occupy the dryer sites. White oak and black oaks often occur in roughly the same areas.

5). Shingle oak (red oak family)

The leaves of the shingle oak have no lobes — a telling feature!

Members of the red oak family tend to hold onto their leaves well into, and even throughout, winter until the buds start to swell in the spring. That’s something good to remember. And for sure, shingle oak, black oak, and pin oak can look allot alike! But, you can tell shingle oak easily by the leaf. Shingle oaks have a single, elliptical, oval, shaped leaf with no “lobes”. (picture above). No other Iowa oak has a leaf that looks anything like this.

6). Ironwood (Hophornbeam)

Hophornbeam — ironwood — gets this size and a bit bigger and often forms into dense stands in the understory. It can look like young white oak, but the leaves of the ironwood resemble those of an elm, not an oak, and the twigs and buds are slender and small on the ironwood.

Ironwood can fool you into thinking that you are looking at a young white oak. Ironwood is a common understory tree and often forms dense stands. It often carries leaves in the winter that resemble elm (not oak). Also, the bark is thinner than oak and so are the twigs and buds.

7). Ash

Cutting into the bark of an ash tree will tell you if it’s really a walnut — since the two are easily confused. The ash tree has light inner cambium and the walnut is dark.

I remember as a kid riding my motocross bike up and down our gravel driveway with my friends. We had a lot of fun racing them around that’s for sure. Though, I’m not quite sure how much the neighbors loved the noise! It’s a weird recollection to be sure, but every time I see the bark of a big old ash tree it reminds me of the tread I used to see on the back tire of my friends Suzuki RM 80 that always seemed to be in front of me! If you examine the bark of an ash, especially on a big older tree, you’ll also notice that it forms a diamond sort of arrangement across the surface, and the “peaks” sort of look like the tread of a dirt bike (sort of, you have to use your imagination a bit!) And as you can see from the picture above — the knife in your pocket will separate this tree from any possible confusion with this tree and the black walnut.

As for the twigs on ash trees, they have an opposite arrangement. This is a dead giveaway, in comparison to walnut and some others they may be confused with. (picture below) Also, the dreaded emerald ash borer is killing ash trees all over Iowa. The young ash tree pictured below — bottom right — is a recent victom and is showing signs of the disease. Unfortunately, there are several diseases and insects that kill trees of various species across the state. You can find out more about all sort of tree diseases/pests/problems.

Branches arranged in “opposite” formation from each other is a key characteristic of ash — this easily distinguishes it from any walnut confusion!

The emeral ash borer has moved into Iowa and is killing the ash trees! This young tree is showing serious symptoms of the disease.

8). Hackberry

The two hackberry trees — on the left — have deep rough ridges. (elm tree far right). The hackberry tree is pretty easy to identify once you’ve seen it a few times and it’s a good wildlife tree.

Hackberry tree often have deep cuts and ridges in the bark forming a very rough outer bark layer. A common tree with a good wildlife value – various animals eat the seeds. No other tree really looks that much like it, in Iowa, that I can think of. But you still need to know what it looks like to identify it!

9). The dreaded honey locust!

The thorns on the honey locust can run up to 8- inches or so and are very sharp. One interesting thing about these trees is that bout 10% of them, in Iowa, are thornless. The trees that do have thorns can easily go right through your boot or tractor tire, so watch out! But, honey locusts are great trees to leave for deer because whitetails love eating the seed pods in winter. Deer often seem to favor pods off certain trees vs. other for some reason. This one is easy to I.D! (Black locust trees may seem similar but tend to form straighter trunks and have smaller spines, than that of honey locust trees. Black locusts were often planted in the “pioneer” days for fence posts and firewood, and you can see groups of black locust tree, often, around homesteadsteds.

Most people can’t mistake this tree for anything else — the honey locust. It has scary sharp spines that’ll go right through a tractor tire or boot. But, it does produce seed pods that deer love to eat in the wintertime!

10). Shagbark Hickory

This one is pretty easy for most folks to I.D., because of the long scaly bark. A common upland tree in Iowa, occurs in groups of mixed with oaks. Can dominate dryer sites.

The scally bark of this shagbark hickory is hard to confuse with anything really. These trees are common in the upland woods and can dominant dry sites.

The early morning rays of sunlight sprinkling through the oak and hickory treetops began to reveal what it was that I had been straining to see. Straining to see for the last half hour or so. Noise in the dark thicket of young oaks and bitternut hickory pole timber only about 60- yards distant. Faint noise. Muffled noise. Hunters know the sound. Leaves stirring faintly by multiple footsteps, moving with a rhythm and a seemingly steady purpose, yet always circling back to where they started. Deer moving and milling about the thicket after coming back from the nearby grain fields.

That was my guess anyway. But was it two deer? Three deer? Maybe more?

It wasn’t long before a whitetail doe eased out and into a little opening in front of me. I fired multiple times immediately – six or seven shots within just a couple of seconds.

Then, suddenly, a buck appeared, like a ghost, out of the edge of the darkness and into the light, right behind the doe, looking squarely at me, eye’s piercing me like the sharpest arrow. Like all giant bucks. He knew all along where I was. At least it sure seemed like he did. But, it didn’t matter. It was too late for him.

Like NBA marksman, Clay Thompson, my arms were already raised and ready for the shot. He didn’t know I was looking at him through my camera lens. Click, click, click, click…

I got him! The wait — in the cold blind — had definitely been worth it.

Wew..I had to stop and catch my breath. My heart and adrenaline, surging, even though I was just sitting there.

Easy does it, I told myself. I got him! That’s how it goes when hunting with a camera. Sometimes, that is. When you get lucky!

Just like when hunting with a bow or gun, with wildlife photography, you work at it and when you are prepared luck seems to come easier.

And, I can assure you this, hunting with a camera is lots of fun. Great fun, for sure. Yet, for the life of me, I don’t fully understand why more people aren’t doing it? Sure, I get the fact that you don’t get to bring back any meat when hunting with a camera. No doubt about that. Not unless you stop at the grocery store on the way home, that is. And that is the main reason why I hunt with a bow or gun, to bring back high-quality low fat and super healthy venison or other game for the family to enjoy. That doesn’t happen when I hunt with my camera.

So why do it?

Some people don’t seem to get it. Even people whom I would think would get it, like other hunters that I know and wildlife professionals. In fact, just this past fall I was talking to a park ranger and he just asked me point-blank why take wildlife pictures?And, what do you do with the pictures?

Nothing like calling in predators in the winter! It’s fun hunting them with bow or gun. But it’s also great bringing home images for the wall with the camera!

Before I talk about that let me first say that when I go hunting with a bow or gun a HUGE reason lies in the thrill of the chase.

Trying to outwit something on their own turf is addicting (and that is also why I love to fish). When I hunt the fields and forests around me with a camera, I can still do this. Plus, with camera, I can always bring something home – memories in the form of pictures. Now, for sure, they aren’t always great pictures. But I get to bring back pictures of the animals I see to share with friends and family, nonetheless. This is huge. Ring enough one up for wildlife photography!

It is awesome to be able to share the experiences that I have in the field with friends and loved ones who were not there. When I hunt traditionally, that is, with bow or gun, I often don’t bring home anythingto share but invisible stories.I don’t always bring home meat that’s for sure!

And, maybe because I am getting older, it’s the sharing of the experience that is really deeply and genuinely valued and is so rewarding. The pictures I bring home every time I come back from “camera hunting” let me do that in a great visual fashion that people don’t have to imagine or believe. Now, I’ve got proof that really did encounter that monster buck! Much of the “trying to outwit something” reason that I hunt or fish, is a reason involving challenge. That is a huge part of why I go hunting — for the challenge of the endeavor itself – trying to bag that animal and/or even the challenge of the process (dealing with the weather, example). This is all kept as part of the camera hunting endeavor as well. You don’t lose these things with camera hunting. In fact, one could argue that hunting with a camera is even more challenging. At least, it can be, at times!

This nice whitetail was out and about one November morning checking scrapes when I shot him with my Canon!

Let me quickly qualify that last statement – camera hunting can be as challenging as you make it because there is the constant challenge of creating a higher quality image than the previous one. That is a huge reason why I love camera hunting too. The challenge of trying to create not just a technically good image but a technically or even artistically great one!

And think of this benefit when hunting with a camera – there are NO SEASONS. You can “hunt” deer any time of year you wish. You say you’d like to go “hunting” month before the season opens – no big deal, go right ahead! And, using a camera, you can now “hunt” most wildlife refuges, national and state parks! Additionally, you don’t have any licensing expenses to deal with! Obviously, the door opens way up with great options when you pick up a camera to hunt with!

I realize that many folks just don’t think it will be “the same” as when hunting with a bow or gun. That somehow the “thrill” just won’t be there.

I think that is something you would have to decide for yourself. I can tell you that it is just what you make it out to be. Photographs, like fingerprints, are all different. And it isn’t easy producing great images on a regular basis– despite today’s fantastic equipment. In fact, one “keeper” for every half dozen shots is sort of typical. And, getting one “wall hanger” type of image might take you a few hundred shots. Photography isn’t as simple as pointing and shooting. At least, getting great images on a regular basis isn’t about that. But that is why I like it. Again it’s that challenge. If it was easy it would be boring and it would be hard to find the satisfaction of doing it. The thrill of accomplishment – finally being able to get a great image after all the lighting and setup challenges definitely exist. I think that is what allot of people may think. That hunting animals with a camera instead of with a bow or gun would be boring and maybe not satisfying. Again, it’s all about what you make of it. But I definitely don’t find that to be true at all. But wildlife photography is what you want it to be. If you like to push the limits, if you are like many hunters and love the challenges in the field, then there is a good bet you might also like the challenges of getting great images of the animals you pursue with a camera in hand. If you’re one that likes to push for things. You can push for an unlimited amount of challenge growth with wildlife photography.

And you are already on step 8 on a scale of 1-10 on what it takes to get that great image if you are a hunter – that is, getting to know your subject and how to get close to your subject on a regular basis. As a hunter you already know how to accomplish this.

I love shooting waterfowl with a camera (I love hunting them as well). But when the season is over and there are still lots of birds around — might as well go bring back some images to share or for the wall!

Do you know how to Shoot a Camera?

The type of camera I’m talking about using here is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex).

You know, the great big cameras those guys hanging around the end zones and sidelines of sporting events have! You know the ones. I won’t get into how to use a DSLR here because I don’t have the space for that. You’ll have to do some Internet browsing for that. There are guides and books on that subject widely available. If you’ve never used one, then it’ll take a little bit of study. Not that much, though. Rest assured, if I can use one so can you! If you want to get out there and do some wildlife photography, then I’m sure you’ll probably be excited to spend a little bit of time learning the basics of the camera itself. You can do it and it’s worth learning.

Probably the single biggest setting that I use in the field is called aperture-priority mode. This is where you get to decide how much focus you want for the photograph (example: just the eye’s and face or more corner-to-corner?). This setting lets you be the guide and the camera does the rest. It’s really not too hard!

Camera brands: There are several brands. The top brands today, as you may already know, are Canon, Nikon and Sony (in no particular order). I use Canon gear but I have also used Nikon and both make top quality gear. Sony does as well. I’ll talk about Canon gear in this post only because that is what I’m most familiar with (not because they are better than any other brand. Although, I must say I love my Canon’s!)

keep in mind that I am not a wildlife photography pro!I am just a guy, maybe like you, who has some knowledge of photography and has a deep interest in hunting. I’m just a guy combining the two!

The reason I choose Canon is because I invested in one of their cameras a while back and then bought a couple of their lenses. Once I got vested into them, it was no turning back. And I haven’t been disappointed at all. They have a superb array of other items like lenses, teleconverters, etc., for the type of shooting that I like to do, which is, of course, wildlife.

If you watch a sporting event, you will see allot of big white lenses – these are canon pro lenses. I would say most pro sporting photographers shoot one of these three systems – and I would say more pro’s shoot Canon than anything else, followed by closely by Nikon.

Again, several companies make great gear and pro quality systems. I’m no pro that’s for sure but I just got into the Canon system a while back and bought some of their lenses so I’ve been sticking with them. Had I bought Nikon or Sony stuff previously I probably would be sticking with them. It gets expensive to keep switching around once you invest in some of the gear of one brand.

Something to remember is that what you are really buying when it comes to acquiring wildlife photography gear, is not just a camera but a system that goes with it.Lenses are at the top of the list, of course, and it’s good advice to get good lenses and don’t skimp on quality here. The route I’ve chosen to go involving price point is sort of right down the middle. My cameras are basically “serious amateur” level and I try to find the best deals on the highest rated lenses that I can find. Again…one could go on and on about this. But I don’t have

The route I’ve chosen to go involving price point is sort of right down the middle. My cameras are basically “serious amateur” level and I try to find the best deals on the highest rated lenses that I can find.

Again…one could go on and on about this, but I don’t have space here to do that. You’ll want to read up on top choices for wildlife photography. The Internet is full of information on that. It’s all about what system offers the best choices for the type of shooting that you will be doing. There is a ton of information out there discussing the pros and cons of the different camera systems available today.

Type of Equipment: I like a camera that has a quiet shutter and one with great focus ability in low light; and, produces one that produces high-quality images with low grain, when doing deer photography, in low light conditions. These are big demands.

The Canon 6D fills these needs perfectly.

The Canon EOS 6D does a great job in low-light and with high ISO settings. It has a pretty quiet shutter drive, too. This makes it great for shooting wildlife in low-light conditions at close range.

The Canon 6D is not a cheap camera, by any means. But it isn’t in outer-space, price-wise either (about $1500 for the body only currently on Amazon). This camera sort of lies in the middle-end of the spectrum and would be classified as a “serious or semi-pro” type camera. It’ll work hard for you for years and years of service so long as it’s cared for. And the 6D will is capable of producing images that could easily go on the cover of any magazine or that could be enlarged to poster size for that office wall!

The Canon 70-200 f/4 is a great all-around nature and wildlife lens for larger subjects that aren’t too far off — say 30 yards or so with deer. I prefer the IS version which makes it easier to hand-hold and get sharp images, especially in low light.

There are other cheaper alternatives for getting good lenses — choices from Sigma and Tamron, for example that cover the same focal lengths as those just mentioned will get the same job done at a fraction of the cost. You might want to do some research on these and look at some lens reviews. These companies, and others, make some top-notch glass but, generally, tend to fall shy of the quality that a camera company puts out on their own lenses. I’ve had one Sigma lens and it was built like a tank and took some great photos. I don’t think the brightness and overall “pop” of the images it produced were as good as my Canon glass however. With technology changing so fast, the margin of quality between the lenses that Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc., put out and some of the third-party lenses makers just mentioned is narrowing greatly. In some cases, there may be no difference in quality. Again…you may want to do your own research on this before buying a lens.

Back to the camera: The Canon 6D has been around for a few years now but it still is a very capable camera that produces pro-quality results (with practice). It works great for most whitetail photography and it’s auto-focus system and shutter speed is certainly adequate to get great shots of deer running or jumping a fence.

The 6D is a full-frame camera with no built in “lens multiplier” effect. You might want to read up on that if desired. The bottom line is that this is a great camera for low-light, deer photography at close or semi-close range with the lenses mentioned above. There’s no doubt you could get a 500 mm or even a 600 mm lens and shoot deer at longer ranges. But with a 300-400 mm lens and a 1.4X or even a 2X converter (lens multiplier), one can capture some great shots out to 60 or even 70 yards or so.

An extender is placed between the body of the camera and the lens and effectively “zooms” in the subject by the specified amount.

So we are pretty much talking about photographing deer just out past long bow hunting range with this setup. If you wanted to be able to shoot deer at longer ranges with excellent results with this camera you would need that 500 or 600 mm lens which will amp up your equipment acquisition costs a few thousand dollars! If you main goal in wildlife photography is to shoot fast moving subjects, in general, such as birds in flight or lots of running and jumping – or other – fast action shots of wildlife, then a camera that shoots faster than the 6D would be better (the 6D shoots at 4.5 frames per second, top-end, which would seem to be fast enough, but the faster the better for really fast moving subjects!)

My Canon 60D (not the 6D but the 60D) is certainly adequate for some of this type of shooting but the Canon 7D – which I don’t have – (shoots up to 8-frames per second, fps) or the 7D Mark 2 (upgrade to the 7D in both image quality and speed of shooting – up to 10 fps with Mark 2) would certainly be better. If I had to choose, I would get the 7D Mark 2 for my main wildlife camera. But, I would still use the Canon 6D for those times when “quiet shooting” and shooting in very low light is of paramount importance. Such as when shooting within 25 yards out of a blind.

Something you might want to read up on would be about the “crop factor” some of these cameras have – the 60D, 7D, and 7D Mark 2. These cameras “crop” the image by way of the design of their smaller sensor. The result is that the image seems closer than it really is. So when using any suitable lens on these cameras the result is magnified by 60% (example a 200mm lens on a crop-factor camera effectively becomes a 320 mm lens; a 100 mm lens becomes a 160 mm lens., etc., etc.) What this means is that you can get by with a shorter lens on these cameras because your camera automatically makes it acts like a longer one – this helps with long lens expense, big time!

If you don’t need as big of a lens, then you don’t have to spend as much money (typically, lens cost goes up with lens length). So a crop-sensor camera – or crop factor camera – gives you more reach than does full-frame camera like the 6D. I won’t examine this too much more in this post. For sure there are pro’s and cons of each. For the wildlife shooter, a top-notch camera like the 7D Mark 2 with the built-in crop factor is hard to beat in most situations. (Some pros who must have the ultimate in top-notch image quality stay away from crop factor cameras. Also, most landscape photographers do as

Some pros who must have the ultimate in top-notch image quality stay away from crop factor cameras and just use cameras with full-frame sensors, like the EOS 6D. (There may be a slight drop in overall image quality when using a crop-sensor camera vs. one with a full-frame sensor). Also, most landscape photographers avoid crop-sensor cameras as well, because it limits their ability to use the widest angle lenses that they prefer because of that particular photography style. I hope that you are not confused by any of the “tech”

I hope that you are not confused by any of the “tech” talk above. Getting started shooting a DSLR is really not that hard. And the fun part is chasing the animals with one and bringing back great images.

It’s a constant challenge but that is where the fun lies.

Seasons? What seasons?

A refuge – who cares!

Now is as good of a time as any to get started at this. But let me warn you – shooting wildlife with a Canon is addicting! Have fun!

A little Tech Talk and some Money Saving Ideas:

Okay let’s talk reality here. What’s this going to cost?

Full-Frame Camera:

Canon EOS 6D: $1500.00 on Amazon (this is an awesome camera for low light shooting and has a really quiet shutter too)

Canon EOS 40D: Not discussed in this post BUT I have one and this older camera model produces great results! It isn’t made anymore — I don’t believe –but they still sell them. I think you can get one for around $200 on Amazon. It’s a crop-sensor camera and would be an awesome starter camera. It may shoot slower and not focus as fast as the newer “kids on the block” but it’ll kick out magazine and poster quality shots if you do your part and hold it steady and shoot with a quality lens!

You can spend more on a crop sensor camera too, of course!

If I wanted a top-end wildlife shooting machine, and I do, I would save up and get the Canon EOS 7D Mark 2 (and I hope to)!

One of the top wildlife cameras available today would have to be the Canon EOS 7D Mark 2. Image courtesy By A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37829200

The 7D Mark 2 sells for about $1500 on Amazon and fires away at up to 10 frames per second and has super fast autofocus ability, as well. It is a fairly new camera and is a substantial upgrade of the older EOS 7D(now discontinued by Canon but you can still buy them on Amazon for about $850.). This was/is a great camera, as well, but performance-wise the newer Mark 2 version reportedly beats it in just about every respect (I don’t know, because I have not shot either one.) The choice is yours!

When it comes to getting a great wildlife lens. I would be one and done these days! That is the new Canon 100-400 mm f/4-5.6 IS 11 zoom would be my main choice if I were just gearing up.This lens is all you would really need! The reviews I have seen on this newer and updated design of the old version of this lens are pretty fantastic. This lens runs about $1700 on Amazon and you can still find the older model for about half that.

The Canon 100-400 Mark 2 is an updated of the older version and is reported to be better in all respects. This would make the ideal one-lens-does-all wildlife lens for many people!

The original Canon 100-400 L Lens. Not as good as the newer version but is still a great all-around wildlife lens and has been used by pros to produce magazine quality images for years. It’s still available and is about half the cost of the new design.

Keep in mind that when it comes to saving money, it is a better idea to save on the camera and invest more into the lens!

You could opt for a used Canon 40D or 50D (not discussed but a slight upgrade of the 40D and still available used) for under $300 and one of the Canon 100-400 mm lenses just discussed.

Other Stuff:

You’ll want to start looking into tripods if you do much shooting. Although, with today’s camera’s and their internal stabilization systems that they use, it is much easier to get high-quality photographs without a tripod than it used to be.

Plus, the digital quality has gotten so good that one can shoot in very low light these days without the need for a tripod either.

I say without the need for one…that is not to say that you wouldn’t get better photographs without support — because you would! However, sneaking around the farm with a tripod is just plain cumbersome and non-fun! So, I rarely take one these days except for low-light shooting out of a blind or something similar.

Use one balanced on the edge of your half-rolled down truck or car window when your drive around a refuge or park. This will support your camera almost as well as a tripod when you have to stop suddenly to take that picture of that monster buck along the edge of the road!

When pondering Iowa fence law, my mind drifts back to a client and I busting through some thick nasty cover one sultry day a few July’s back, swatting flies as we walked, and checking out the fenceline on a 120-acre farm along the Des Moines river, in Iowa.

“This fence is pretty rough,” he said, as we paused at the top of a little ravine.

Your right this fence-line can barely be called a fence-line, that’s for sure. I answered back.

From the looks of things, no livestock had been on either side of that fence in a long, long, time.

And it appeared that neither landowner really cared about the condition of the fence anymore since neither seemed to have livestock to contain.

“What are my obligations for the fence,” my client asked. “Am I required to make the fence better or build a new fence if I buy the place”?

Perhaps…..

A look into The Iowa fence law code:

(The Iowa fence law code is very old and some of it dates back to the late 1800’s and earlier!)

If you are an Iowa landowner then you may already be familiar with Iowa fence law.

The law is rather out-dated and there are plenty of folks who disagree with some or all of it (especially those that don’t own livestock, it seems.)

The law states that existing border fences be maintained by both landowners and that the expense shared by both adjacent landowners.

Additionally, if there is no border fencing, and if one owner decides to have one, then that person can demand, by written request, the adjacent landowner to build a legal fence.

“Respective owners of adjoining tracts of land shall upon written request of either owner be compelled to erect and maintain partition fences, or contribute thereto, and keep the same in good repair throughout the year.” (a)

Who Pays for the Fence?

In determining how to apportion fence responsibilities under the statute, many landowners have traditionally applied the right-hand rule: two adjoining property owners, facing each other at the center of the fence along their shared property boundary, each agree to build the right half from the center of the property to the end of the property line. While this is an acceptable practice, it is not based in statutory or case law. Thus, it is not a required method of allocation. ( Iowa Fence Requirements: A Legal Review By Kristine A. Tidgreni July 27, 2016 )

Let’s go back to the question of my client.

Does he need to make that poor, below-code, fence-line better if he buys the land? Even though neither side owns or runs livestock?

He may need to make that border fence-line better – it all depends upon what the adjacent landowner desires.

For one thing, if the adjacent landowner requests a fence then it needs to be a legal fence. (If neither neighbor cares about having a fence then there is no statutory requirement to have one).

A legal fence means it must meet the minimum criteria the established by the Iowa code.

What if the adjacent landowner desires, an even better fence than the Iowa fence law code has established as the minimum allowance for a legal fence? The Iowa fence law provides that all partition fences may be made tight by the party desiring it, and when that party’s portion is so completed, the adjoining landowner must follow suit. ( Iowa Code § 359A.19.) A tight fence must be “securely fastened to good substantial posts, set firmly in the ground, not more than 20 feet apart.” (Iowa Code § 359A.20 )

359A.20 TIGHT FENCE:

All tight partition fences shall consist of:

1. Not less than twenty-six inches of substantial woven wire on
the bottom, with three strands of barbed wire with not less than
thirty-six barbs of at least two points to the rod, on top, the top
wire to be not less than forty-eight inches, nor more than fifty-four
inches high.2. Good substantial woven wire not less than forty-eight inches
nor more than fifty-four inches high with one barbed wire of not less
than thirty-six barbs of two points to the rod, not more than four
inches above said woven wire.3. Any other kind of fence which the fence viewers consider to be
equivalent to a tight partition fence or which meets standards
established by the department of agriculture and land stewardship by
rule as equivalent to a tight partition fence.

You may wonder if you have a duty to build and or to maintain a boundary partisan fence if you do not own livestock?

It would seem that the answer would be no.

But the real and legal answer, it seems, is yes.

In Iowa, landowners with livestock have a duty, by law, to fence their livestock in so that they don’t run at large. (lawful duty to fence livestock in)

However, adjacent landowners who do not own livestock are obligated by law to maintain their portion of any boundary partisan fence. (lawful obligation to keep livestock out)

This means that even if you do not own livestock and you do not maintain a sufficient and legal partition fence then you have little to no recourse for any possible damages that may be caused by livestock escaping onto your land.

The livestock owner would likely not be held responsible for damages if you do not maintain a legal partisan fence to keep his livestock out.

The law is pretty crazy in this regard if you ask me. But that is the way it is.

But that is the way it is.

It is sort of like saying, I’ve got this pit-bull here in my yard on this leash.

But he is big and mean and nasty and he may break that thing and dash off. If he comes into your yard and mauls you, I can’t be held responsible because you didn’t put up an appropriate barrier to stop him.

I realize that sounds like a silly and extreme example but it is based on the same logic as the Iowa fence code is using in regard to livestock.

What do you think?

The Iowa fence law code does establish a nice base point at which boundary line disputes and rights of ownership can be corrected and maintained.

Disputes between neighbors regarding boundary fencing are resolved by fence viewers who are township trustees – either 3 or 5 registered voters of the township – that have been given special power to resolve fence-line controversies. They do not have the authority, however, to resolve legal boundary issues.

Property Ownership

There are ways in which property ownership rights can be established and transferred based simply upon where the partisan fence is located.

If a boundary fence exists and both sides don’t dispute it’s location for a period of at least 10 years, then that it becomes the legal boundary (boundary by Acquaintance). This is important because even though a boundary fence exists this does not mean it is on the real legal boundary or that it is on the exact location that a survey of the land would reveal. But after ten years, if neither landowner disputes the location of the partition fencing, then that becomes the legal border regardless (Iowa Code § 650.6)

This important for landowners to realize because often certain sections of border fencing is placed for convenience.

Fencing by convenience is not uncommon at all, and in fact, is done all the time, especially on rough and rugged terrain.

This is done to make it easier get around something when fencing off the border – perhaps the real line is close to the edge of a rock bluff or goes across a creek with big, steep hillside, for example.

In these cases, a landowner may place fencing just off to the edge of these places or slightly off and around the edge of these areas to more conveniently run the fence and, thus, dodge the obstacle.

If you are a landowner and have any questions regarding your land borders, I suggest going to the courthouse and looking at your plat-of-land. (county auditor).

Again, is not uncommon to have at least some portion of a fence-line, to be run by convenience, especially on large or “rugged” farms. If you find such to be the case on your farm, you should notify your neighbor right away, in writing, that you have knowledge of the real border in those areas and that the partition fence is not on it.

The are other ways ownership rights can be dictated and transferred by way of Iowa fence law code.

Something similar to Easement by Acquaintance is Easement by Prescription

With Easement By Prescription, both owners have knowledge that a border fence exists in the wrong area but they continue to use it as though it is placed correctly. If both sides continue to use the borders as the “real border” for a period of 10 years or more, then ownership rights can transer by means of easement by prescription. (When a landowner “uses another’s land under a claim of right or color of title, openly, notoriously, continuously, and hostilely for ten years or more” an easement by prescription is created. Iowa Code § 564.1.)

Adverse Possession:

Finally, misplaced fences could result in land acquired via “adverse possession.” Adverse possession is a similar doctrine to an easement by prescription, however adverse possession is obtained by occupying the land, not simply using it. (Iowa Code § 564.1.)

This covers some of the basics regarding Iowa fence law to get more details you should download

Iowa Fence Requirements: A Legal Review By Kristine A. Tidgreni July 27, 2016 (button at the bottom of this post)

Something fishy with Iowa fence law:

Sometimes a partisan fence runs right through the middle of a pond or lake.

In Iowa, landowners own the bottom of any lake or pond bed that sits on their land. In certain instances, the boundaries between adjacent landowners may run through a portion of a lake or pond.

Can a landowner put up a fence that runs through a lake or pond and on their property border, and fence other’s out?

Yes.

However, many owners choose to make different agreements that allow all owners of a shared lake to enjoy the whole water source. (b)

Did you know you there is a really good chance you can get LOADS of money for FREE?

Did you know that you can get cost-share dollars for some or all of your various Iowa wildlife projects?

That’s right – money for nothin’!

You may already know that cost-share money is available each year to Iowa landowners to various sorts of things.

Projects such as tree plantings, timber stand improvement, wetlands establishments, etc., are all eligible for significant cost-share money paid straight to the landowner. Typical cost-share percentages range from 50-75% of the total cost to establish the approved project.

Tree plantings provide valuable wildlife habitat as well as to help provide clean water and air for everyone. They can also become a valuable economic component for the landowner.

This can add up to some huge savings in cost, particularly when doing large projects — we are talking thousands of dollars of savings!

What are the cost-share programs in Iowa?

One cost-share program is called REAP.

This is an acronym for Resource Enhancement and Protection Program. REAP is great for funding timber stand improvement projects and tree plantings. Payment rates are very good: up to 75% of the projected project cost. (the district forester must examine the site to determine the suitability of the desired project for the site and provides the landowner a dollar number that the state would pay for the project on a per-acre basis)

Typical REAP requirements the project(s) is to be completed within a year.

Completed projects are then approved by the state district forester or wildlife biologist for the particular region of your land within the state.

A Stewardship Plan for the landowner is typically required and is drafted by the area biologist or forester.

A management plan is also required.

These are typically also drafted by these professionals.

Or, should you decide to hire a private conservation improvement service or a forestry consultant, they may draft a plan for you (so long as their plan is approved by the state forester or biologist. The private consultant or service works in conjunction with the state-employed professionals to ensure the project is completed according to the approved site plan)

All of this may sound sort of confusing, at first, but it’s really NOT that bad! Believe me, if I can figure this stuff out, so can you!

Another cost-share program is EQIP.

The EQIP programs allows cost-share funding for many of the same types of projects as the REAP program does. One major difference is that the EQIP program has a continuous signup period. With priority given to the applications that come in first — first-come, first served.

For 2017, there is priority ranking to all applications received to Oct 21. There is a second priority cutoff of March 17.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t apply after these dates. You can apply at any time.

A second major difference between EQIP and the REAP programs is that EQUIP rates are typically lower than those through REAP.

Why would anyone choose to go with EQIP instead of REAP then, you ask?

For one reason, money is pretty much always available through EQIP.

REAP cost -share funding is granted on an annual basis to Iowa with counties getting funded, typically, in late summer. Many counties run out of REAP funding by early spring or earlier. So if your county is out of REAP funding when you like to do your project, then you can always sign up for EQUIP instead.

Both programs require management plans. These can be drafted by the project biologist, forester, or professional company hired to complete the project.

Still, other cost-share and income producing programs exist for Iowa landowners.

Most everyone has heard of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) .

Many people envision a vast sea of grasses sweeping across the landscape when thinking of a CRP field.

Most of these fields would be considered general signup projects.

This is where the United States Department of Agriculture pays landowners to plant approved fields to grassland habitat to protect those acres from erosion. These general sign-up periods happen from time to time and often seem to occur at the spur of the moment!

It’s a good idea to continually monitor the Iowa Farm Service Agency’s website or stay in-tune with your county FSA office for updates on the CRP program and any sign-up periods.

Field of Conservation Reserve Planting grasses

Landowners are generally allowed a percentage of the establishment cost to plant these fields — typically up to 50%

This saves the landowner thousands of dollars and helps him make his land way more valuable, too, from wildlife and recreational value perspective, as well! It’s a big win-win!

CRP programs pay the participant on an annual basis and contracts are either for 10 or for 15 years.

And, there is WAY more to CRP than just the continual sign-up program.

From bee pollinator grass and flower plantings, to food plots, wetland establishment and tree plantings. If you own land and desire to help your wildlife and the environment – and your recreational land value – then you need to investigate deeper into the various CRP practices that exist.

At last count, there were 42 different CRP practices that eligible Iowa landowners can sign up for on a continuous basis. That means, there is no sign-up period for these programs. You can go into your county FSA office and apply for these programs at any time.

There are various wetland conservation programs that are available to landowners as well. The various contracts and options of enrollments are numerous and somewhat complicated. You can dig into that information as desired.

You can even use CSR to create wildlife movement corridors, for wildlife watering management and for help with leaving standing crops available to deer and other wildlife. You can even get cost-share funding to improve monarch butterfly habitat.

Of course, there are stipulations on using the CSR: you have to first qualify and be approved.

Just like all the other programs. With the CSR program, there are income limitations on individuals to qualify for cost-share dollars and there are other stipulations as well. But it is a program worth check out!

As an Iowa real estate broker, I get calls like it at least once a week.

“Do you think now is a good time to buy land“. Or, “why should I invest in land instead of the stock market“.

I also get statements.

“I sure wish I’d have invested in land 10 years ago when it was so cheap, I’d be retired today!”

Or, like this one. “If I just would have bought that farm a few years back when it was for sale — look at what it is worth now!“

Hind sight is always 20/20. What will we be saying 10 years from now when we all glance back to the present day? The same sorts of things?

You might be thinking that land prices have esculated so much over the past decade or so that it’s too expensive to buy now.

It’s true — land prices have gone up, in general, over the past decade. But that is a good thingnot a bad thing, as a land buyer. After all, if land prices trended downward each year than it wouldn’t be such a great investment. The fact the land prices generally trend upward over time is a reason to buy land not to back awary from land.

In Iowa, the last few years, land prices have actually slipped from what they were just a few years back — because commodities like soybeans and corn have dropped in value. So make no mistake about it: investing in land is like investing in anything else, there is performance risk, it might not go up. There are no guarantees in land investing.

But if you believe in using history as a guide to the future, then you should believe that a land investment could be a good one.

Land prices rise and fall, for sure.

There is a finite supply of land. As the world populatinon continues to climb, competetion for this resource will go up. That means price will go up. Maybe not now, or tomorrow, or next month, but they will go up — and they will go down!

Make no mistake about it — investing in land, like any other investment, is often a roller-coaster ride. But if your in it for the long haul — as you should normally be with land — then things look good for the future.

Here are 10 reason why, I believe, land is a great investment:

1). They just aren’t making any more of it!

As we stated above, land is a finite resource. Based on the law of supply and demand, it just makes sense that as the number of people increases so too does the demand for available resources.

And, since they aren’t making any more land these days, prices should increase, over time.

Makes sense, right?

2). Land Doesn’t Break!

Lots of investors get into rental properties and housing, in general, to create wealth.

Housing is a great wealth builder. And so is land.

The nice part about land compared to housing, though, is that it doesn’t break. It’s a simple characteristic of land that makes it so appealing — land just sits there asking for no favors and requires little to no maintainance.

Nothing really happens to it.

That’s my kind of property!

3). Land is a “Hands Off” investment.

Since land doesn’t break, and for the most part, there is nothing to do. It just sits there. Quietly. Asking you for nothing.

That’s a great thing: land is not constantly falling apart, like housing does.

Land is sort of boring this way.

But boring is good. Because it frees up your time to do other things you would rather be doing like fishing.

Of course, there are things you may need to do with some types of land — such as putting up border fencing. But, in general, land is much more of a hands off or “laissez faire” investment than comparable options in the world of real estate such as housing.

4) Land values don’t normally swing wildly.

Ever own some shares of stock and find out a short time later that they dipped in value — I mean really dipped in value!

This is pretty common. Shares of individual company stock swing up and down, short term, like a paper airplane in the breeze. Land doesn’t do that on a normal basis.

On a normal, day-to-day basis, the value of any individual land parcel general stays pretty constant. (of course, things could happen to change the value of any individual piece of land quickly — like a notice of a new airport being discussed in the local paper, a notice for a new mall on the edge of town, or a hog confinement coming to the land near you.

Things happen and prices of anything can go up or down fast. But, in the grand scheme of investments, land prices generally stay pretty constant, compared to many others. And, in Iowa at least, land tends to progress upward over time. (Note: chart/diagram above)

5). Land is easy to finance – and you get the “power” of using other people’s money.

There is no doubt about it. Using other people’s money, albiet, from a friend, relative, bank or otherwise, carries risk and can create stress. You want to be careful any time you borrow money and be sure of your finances before you do. You want to be able to pay it back each month without undo stressing yourself or your loved ones.

But, as long as you are careful, financing real estate with other people’s money can be a real boon to your pocket book.

Assuming the land you purchase carries some sort of monthly return back to you — this could be income from crop ground rental, a hunting lease, government subsidy payment such as CRP, a timber sale, etc., — you come out ahead of other investment vehicles that don’t pay cash back to you each month.

And, any return you get back from any land income sources can be used to pay for the monthly/yearly interest on the loan and you may even make a return over and above that amount that allows you to pay down the principle too.

Using the power of borrowed money “leverages” returns in your favor over time, assuming a gradual increase in the value of the land. This enables you to buy more with less money out of your own pocket.

This allows you to use any excess cash toward other things like more land purchases, home maintaincence, family things, or a fishing trip. This is something that is often forgotten but shouldn’t be. By not having to pay “all cash” to buy land you get to keep more cash in your pocket for necessities, goodies, or other investments.

6). Tax Advantages

While land itself cannot be depreciated over time to help reduce your tax burden, improvements to the land can (such as fencing, driveways, tree shelters, and buildings). You’ll need to discuss this in detail with your tax manager or accountant. But land does have some potential advantages here over other investments (such as common stock).

Also, Iowa has the Forest Reserve Program. This enable owners of forestland to take the land off the tax roll! That’s correct: you pay zero real estate taxes!

7). Enjoyment of Use

The fact is, it’s hard to find much fun use out of a stock certificate.

With land, you can use it. You can enjoy it. It’s sitting there, quietly, waiting for you and your family to get some use out of it.

What can you do? You can hunt, fish, hike, bike, walk, run, ski, camp, build, etc. You can do wildlife photography.

You can just go “reflect”. The point is that you can enjoy it however you desire. It’s hard to enjoy using a stock certificate!

8). Government Programs

Land has all sorts of options in regard to programs that help you to not only pay for the land but to make it better.

Did you hear that right? The government will help you pay for your land through these programs and to make it better!

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is another program that provides millions of dollars to landowners across the nation to protect sensitive tillable acres from massive erosion and to enhance the wildlife habitat in these areas.

There are LOADS of other programsavailable to landowner as well. Such programs can make the land more valuable to the landowner. These programs also enhance the wildlife habitat as well as create, protect, and promote vital wildlife ecosystems. These programs help the whole nation by enhancing soil and water quality for everyone to benefit from.

9). Land Can Create Multiple Streams of Income For You.

In the form of cash rent from farming, hunting leases, government program payments (CRP, REAP, EQUIP, etc.,).

These cash streams are like housing tenants that provide income to you each month. The only differnce is these “tenants” don’t break down your property!

Ring up another victory for land investing!

Wind turbines, cell towers, oil drilling, etc., are some other potential ways your land could literally be handing you cash on a regular basis.

Of course, the income any particular piece of land has the ability to produce depends on lots of factors. Every land parcel and location is different. You’ll just have to analyze the potential of each parcel of land you find.

10). Land Creates Wealth

There is no doubt about it.

By buying land at the right price, with good financing, and by creating cash flow with all the cash flow creation opportunities that we’ve already discussed (crop rental, various leases, gov. programs), it’s not hard to create solid long-term wealth through land investing.

I am not here to tell you that any land deal is a great land deal because it isn’t. You have to shop. You have to buy right.

You have to get to know the in’s and out, as you do when investing in anything. But I am hear to tell you, it’s not that hard and that you CAN do it. People have been investing, and profiting, and building wealth with land for ions…it’s nothing new.

But, still, so many people don’t do it. It’s amazing. So many people have just their family residence as their biggest investment. You can do better. You can gain more wealth. Wise land investing could be just what you have been looking for!

I wish only the best of luck to you and your endeavors!

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